Short Summary

People living in the Ribatejo region of Portugal, north of Lisbon, have been cleaning their homes as the worst floods this century subside.

Description

People living in the Ribatejo region of Portugal, north of Lisbon, have been cleaning their homes as the worst floods this century subside.

SYNOPSIS: The floods over, clothes damaged by water are hung out to dry. At the height of the floods about 10,000 people throughout Portugal had to be evacuated.

Towns and villages in this area, the Ribatejo province, were worst hit. The River Tagus, which runs through the region overflowed its banks, flooding surrounding farms. At one point the floodwaters were at least seven metres (23 feet) above the river's normal level.

Apart from the damage to property, there are fears for this years's crops. The region is an important wine producing area and local farmers think the vineyards could suffer badly. The most immediate problem for the people is the task of clearing up in the wake of the flooding. Much has been destroyed, and the property that has survived is being cleaned of mud carried in by the flood. It is likely to be several weeks before life returns to normal.